Adjustable switch mechanism for fiber feeding and weighing mechanism



July 23, 1957 Y B. E. O'CONNOR ETAL 2,800,294

ADJUSTABLE SWITCH MECHANISM FOR FIBER FEEDING AND WEIGHING MECHANISMOriginal Filed May 6, 1949 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 fiizyaiizfmfs Bernard E. 7065222201 Faber! E [fizzy z: L z fw H th July 23, 1957 B E O'CONNOR ETAL2,300,294.

ADJUSTABLE S WITCH MECHANISM FOR FIBER FEEDING Origiqal Filed May 6,1949 AND WEIGHING MECHANISM 1 3 Sheets-Sheet 2- 1?: FE. Z :7 T5 BernardE. O'Connor Faber! E; King July 23, 1957 a. E. O'CONNOR ETAL ADJUSTABLESWITCH MECHANISM F OR FIBER FEEDIN MECHANISM AND WEIGHING Original FiledMary 6, 1949 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 .7 Int.- E:

3.5 a; 3m :22 BR United States Patent ADJUSTABLE SWITCH MECHANISM FORFIBER FEEDING AND WEIGHING MECHANISM Bernard E. OConnor and Robert E.King, Buffalo, N. Y., assignors, by mesne assignments, to IndianaCommercial Filters Corporation, Lebanon Ind., a corporation of IndianaOriginal application May 6, 1949, Serial No. 91,772, now

Patent No.- 2,660,393, dated November 24, 1953. D1- vided and thisapplication January 5, 1953, Serial No. 336,635

2 Claims. (CI- 249-4) This disclosure is a division of our parentapplication, Serial No. 91,772, filed May 6, 1949, now Patent No.2,660,393.

An important object of this invention is to provide an improved weighingmechanism which is adapted to automatically control the measurement offibers delivered by a fiber feeding machine and which may be calibratedfor extremely efficient'sen'sitivity through a wide range ofadjustability.

According to the general features of the present invention, a fiberfeeding machine is provided having a' hopper with a discharge openingcontrolled by a solenoid operated control valve and a weighing hopperdisposed subjacent the discharge opening. The weight box is made a partof a weighing mechanism of the type including a counterweighted scalearm. The weighing mechanism is mounted on spring steel straps therebyassuring a virtually friction-free suspension.

Dumping doors provided on the weigh box are con trolled by' solenoidswhich, together with a solenoid arranged-to regulate the operation ofthe control valve aforementioned may be energized in response tomovement of a mercury switch mounted onthe weigh bar or scale arm of theweighing mechanism.

The present invention furthercontemplates the provision of a novel andimproved mercury switch assembly which affords calibration andadjustment of the angle of the mercury switch relative to the weigh barthrough a wide range-.- Circuit means including a novel arrangement ofelectrical elements are provided so that individual fiber feedingmachines may be operated individually or may beswitch'ed into or out ofa battery at will.

The specific nature of the present invention, as well as additionalfeatures and other objects and advantages, will become manifest to thoseversed in the art upon making reference to the detailed descriptionwhich follows .andthe'annexedsheets of drawings in which:

Figure l is a perspective view of a fiber feeder machine embodying theprinciples of our invention;

Figure 2 is a front elevational view with parts broken away and partlyin section'- showing a portion of the weighing mechanism of the fiberfeeder shown in Fig ure 1;-

Figure 3 is a side elevational view with parts broken away and partly insecion showing additional details of the-weighing mechanism of thefeeder shown in Figure 1;

Figure 3A is a fragmentary cross sectional view taken substntially online AA of Fig; 3;

Figure 4 is a fragmentary side elevational view with parts broken awayand partly in section showing a portion of the weighing mechanism asseen from the side of thefiber feeder opposite from that depicted inFigure 3;

Figure 5 is a fragmentary enlarged cross-sectional view of a dampingstructure according to this" invention;

Figure 6' is a front elevational view with parts removed showingaddtional details of construction of the damper structure shown inFigure 4; and" Figure 7 is a circuit diagram of a control systemaccording to our invention.

As shown on the drawings:

The reference numeral 10 indicates a fiber preparation machine commonlyknown as-a feeder which operates to disintegrate fibers after they havepassed through bale breakers and the like. Those versed in the art willrecognize that the feeder 10 is of the type conventionally used tofurther disintegrate fibers before they are passed to a blending machineor a mechanical cleaner or other fiber preparation machine employedprior to delivery of fibers to the pickers in the picking room.

Because the present invention is specifically directed to variousimprovements which are specifically related to the automaticweighingmechanism of the feeder 10, as well as to methods of operating aplurality of feeder units so improvedindividually or in line as abattery, it is not believed to be necessary to burden this descriptionwith a full disclosure of the various unrelated portions of the feeder10.

It may be noted, however, that the feeder 10 is provided with a bodywhich may be of a welded steel construction to define a hopper 11 havingan upper section 11a arranged to define a discharge aperture 12 (Figure3).

A weigh box or hopper 13 is positioned subjacent the discharge aperture12 so as to receive the fibers delivered by the feeder 10.

The weigh box or hopper 13 may be provided with dumping doors 14 (Figurel) which are controlled by solenoids 16 arranged oneach side of theweigh box or hopper 13.

The weigh box or'hopper 13 may be made an integral part of an automaticweighing mechanism of the balance type including a weigh bar or scalearm 17 (see Figures 1 and 4) which may be supported for relative pivotalmovement by the upper section 11a of the hopper 11.

According to this invention, the weighing mechanism is mounted in anovel manner by the provision of. a unique suspension structure. A

Because of the elongated form of the weigh box or hopper 13, it may bedesirable to provide dual suspension points for the weighing mechanism.

Accordingly, the Weigh bar 17 is connected to a cross bar 18 providedwith a reduced diameter end portion extending through the weigh bar 17and suitably threaded to receive a locking nut 19.

The cross bar 18 extends transversely across the feeder unit 10 and hasa reduced diameter end portion receivable in an auxiliary weigh bar 20which may also be suitably threaded to receive a locking nut 21.Apertures 22 may be provided in the sides of the feeder structure toprovide free accommodation of the cross bar 18.

As will be noted upon making reference to Figures 2, 3 and 4, suitableclip angles 23 may be fastened to the respective sides of the feederunit 10 to provide support for each respective end of the weighingmechanism.

Making particular reference to Figures 2 and 4, it will be noted that anadditional clip angle 24 provided with suitably threaded apertures toreceive bolts 26 is fastened to one of the clip angles 23. A T-shapehanger 27 is provided which may be conveniently made from two separatepieces of angle iron placed back to back so as to clamp a spring steelsuspension strap 28 therebetween. The extending legs of the T-shapehanger 27 may be aligned superjacent the bolts 26 after which theT-shaped hanger 27 may be firmly assembled with the clip angle 24 bytaking up the bolts 26. It will be apparent that suitable washers may beprovided to abut the edges of the" T-shapedhanger 27.

The weigh bar or scale arm 17 is provided with a weigh bar hanger 29 onits end portion which is adapted to define a pair of pivot supportsarranged in predetermined spaced relationship. The pivot points may beconveniently formed by beveling respective corners of the weigh barhanger 29 and assembling a similarly beveled clamping portion thereto.Thus, it will be apparent that one of such clamping portions may besecured to the weigh bar hanger 29 so as to clamp the spring steelsuspension strap 28 at the locale of the pivot point identified by thereference numeral 30 (Figure 4).

The other clamping portion of the weigh bar hanger 29 may be suitablyarranged to clamp upon a second spring steel suspension strap 31 at thelocale of a pivot point indicated by the reference numeral 32 (Figure4).

The weigh box or hopper 13 may be provided with a suitable upstandinglug 33 defining suitable threaded apertures for receiving bolts 34which, in turn, serve to support a T-shaped hanger 36 clamped to thefree end of the spring steel suspension strap 31.

It will be understood that the weigh bar or scale arm 17 may be providedwith the usual counterweight 37 and calibration mechanism so as topermit adjustment of balance in the weighing mechanism.

The suspension arrangement on the other side of the weighing mechanismis quite similar to that already described in connection with the weighbar or scale arm 17 and, as may be seen in Figures 2 and 3, includes aclip angle 38 upon which is mounted T-shaped hanger 39 by means of thebolts 40. An auxiliary weigh bar hanger 41 is provided and a springsteel suspension strap 42 is connected between the T-shaped hanger 39and the auxiliary weigh bar hanger 41 to form a pivot pointcorrespondingly identified by the reference numeral 30.

A spring steel suspension strap 43 connected to the end of the auxiliaryweigh bar hanger 41 is clamped by a T-shaped hanger 44 fastened to anupstanding lug 46 of the weigh box or hopper 13 by a pair of bolts 47 toform a pivot point 32.

It will be apparent that the description thus far has set forth asuspension arrangement which is virtually free of frictionalinterference. The only substantial detrimental force which conceivablycould be introduced is that caused by the slight flexing of the steelsuspension straps when the weigh box or hopper 13 moves during thecourse of operation. It may be noted that such a flexing force willremain constant and for all practical purposes may be considerednegligible.

Those versed in the art will recognize that the described suspensionarrangement permits a wide range of adaptation insofar as the facilityof the weighing system is concerned. For example, it should be notedthat in a stable system the weigh bar pivot point corresponding to pivotpoint 30 in the present embodiment is spaced above a longitudinal axisand the points of support for the weigh box and the counterweight willbe spaced relatively below said longitudinal axis. Thus, within angularlimitations, when the weigh box moves downward the counterweight leverarm will increase while the weigh box lever arm will decrease. Assuming,as in the present embodiment, that the weigh box is moved by theincremental addition of fibers or similar material, a stable systemassures that the weigh box will return to its initial position becausethe counterweight will be operating through an increased lever arm afterdumping of the fiber or material has occurred.

On the other hand, in an unstable system, the weigh bar pivot point willbe disposed relatively below a longitudinal axis while the supportpoints of the weigh box and the counterweight will be disposed abovesuch an axis. Thus, in an unstable system, within angular limitations,the lever arm between the pivot point and the point of support of theweigh box will increase as the box moves downward and the lever armbetween the counterweight and the pivot point will decrease. In such anarrangement the box will not return to its initial position after theweight has been dumped therefrom.

in the present arrangement the amount of stability of the weighingsystem may be closely controlled by adjusting the relative positions ofthe pivot points 30 and 32. An initial stability characteristic may beexperimentally determined and provided for the weighing mechanism.

Because of the friction free suspension arrangement described above, theweigh box or hopper 13 would ordinarily oscillate up and down after eachsuccessive dumping operation if a damping medium were not introduced.inasmuch as automatic control of the weighing system in the presentinvention is dependent upon an automatic switch mechanism which will bedescribed presently, such oscillation of the weigh box or hopper 13would introduce inaccuracy by causing the automatic switch to operate ata false position.

According to this invention a'damper is provided which employs theprinciple of the thrust resistance of shear film of a viscous fluidoperating between opposed parallel working surfaces relatively movablein their respective planes.

Referring particularly to Figures 2, 3, 5 and 6, a damping structure isindicated which comprises a container 48 provided with spaced upstandingwall portions and securely fastened to the relatively stationary body ofthe feeder unit 10. The container 48 is filled with a silicone dampingfluid or the like having a viscosity in the neighborhood of 30,000centistokes. The use of a silicone fluid is preferable because a dampingmedium is thereby produced which is constant in a physical sense andlittle affected by temperature variations.

Opposed working surfaces are provided by a blade 49 which extends intothe container 48 and is substantially immersed in the damping medium.The end of the blade 49 may be flanged so as to facilitate firmconnection to a clip angle 50 made integral with one end of theauxiliary weight bar 20 by means of fasteners 51.

The container 48 may be suitably enclosed by a cover 52; the cover 52being preferably connected to the blade 49 by means of brazing or somesimilar method for movement relative to the container 48.

In operation, the damper substantially eliminates oscillation of theweighing mechanism. In addition, damping is obtained without theintroduction of friction inasmuch as the layers of viscous fluid betweenthe spaced walls of the container 48 and the blade 49 afford a thrustresistance thereby permitting slow relative movements of the weighingsystem but resisting rapid movement due to the shear resistance of thefilms of the viscous fluid between the working surfaces. Upon trippingof the weighing mechanism, the damper takes command and almost instantlybrakes the movement and permits the balance to return immediately to astatic position.

The operation of a fiber feeder unit usually requires that after apredetermined weight of fibers has been deposited in the weigh box orhoppers 13, the motor operating the fiber feeder unit 10 should bedeenergized. Those versed in the art, however, will recognize that theoperating mechanism of a fiber feeder unit 10 does not stop immediatelybut coasts for several revolutions after the electric current to theoperating motor has been turned off. These added revolutions causeadditional fibers to be directed to the discharge opening 12 of thefiber feeder unit 10 which drop into the weigh box or hopper 13 therebycausing inaccuracies as to weigh proportions.

According to the present invention, the fiber feeder unit 10 is providedwith an arrangement which permits precise and exact proportioning of thequantity of fiber deposited in a weigh box.

The arrangement contemplated by the present invention includes a valveplate 53 (Figures 2, 3 and 4) which is placed in control of thedischarge opening 12 in the upper section 11a of the hopper 11. As willbe noted in Figures 3 and 4, the valve plate 53 cooperates with an innerpartition 54 formed in the body of the hopper 11.

"16 insure strategie operation dr'nievnvepiste 53, an automatie'actuating sys teiiris provided according to the present invention; Thus,the valve plate 53 may be keyed to a suitable shaft 56 extendingtransversely across the fiber feeder for pivotal movement relative tothe discharge opening 1 2. Thus,- r'otat'ion of the" shaft 56 will placethe valve plate 53 in a forward positib ni so asto permit free passageof fibers from the feeder 10' into the weigh box'or hopper I3. 7

In order to impart the necessary rotation to the shaft 56 in correlationwith the requirements of the weighing system, a solenoid, indicatedgenerally by the reference character 57, is provided which may beattached to one wall of the feeder unit 10. The solenoid 57 is providedwith a plunger 57a to which may be linked a lever arm 58 keyed to ashaft lever arm 59 thereby permitting translation of the recipro cator'ymovement of the solenoid plunger 57a into an angular displacement of theshaft 56.

It will be apparent that energization of the solenoid -57 simultaneouslywith deenergization' of the operating motor of the feeder unit 10 willpreclude the introduction of superfluous fibers into the weigh box-orhopper 13 once a specific weight allocation has been attained becausethe valve plate 53 will close the discharge opening 12.

Automatic control of a fiber feeder unit depends upon the energi'zationand deenergiza'tion of certain electrical elements upon the entry ofapredetermined quantitative weightvalue of fibers fed into the weigh boxor hopper of the feeder unit. Those versed in the art have heretoforefound it advantageous, therefore, to employ mercury switches for makingor breaking contac'tswhen the weigh bar or scale arm of the weighingmechanism has been displaced through a predetermined angulardisplacement,

According to the present invention, a switch assembly has been providedwhereby the angle of a mercury switch with relation to the weigh bar ofa weighing mechanism may be closely controlled within certain limits. Itwill be evident that the angle of the switch with relation to the weighbar is very important and calibration of a weighing mechanism isextremely difficult unless a facile means of adjustment is provided.

The present invention contemplates the provision of a clip 60 having abody portion 60a and spaced resilient prongs 60b extending in a planenormal to that developed by a flat body 60a. A conventional mercuryswitch 61 may be inserted and resiliently retained by the prongs 60b.The clip 60 is secured for relative pivotal movement to the auxiliaryweigh bar 20 by means of a fastener 62.

A bracket 63 is provided which may be securely fastened to the top edgeof the auxiliary weigh bar 20. The bracket 63 is provided with aforwardly extending arcuate portion suitably perforated so as to definea substantially longitudinal adjusting slot 63a for passing an adjustingscrew 64. The screw 64 threadedly engages a nut made integral with theclip 60 and may be drawn up against the resilience of a small coilspring 66 so as to lock the clip 60 in any selected angle ofdisplacement relative to the auxiliary weigh bar 20, as may be desired,within the limits prescribed by the substantially longitudinal slotformed in the bracket 63.

Referring now to Figure 7, a schematic circuit diagram is shownillustrating how a plurality of fiber feeder units 10 may beelectrically connected to facilitate the novel and improved methods ofoperation contemplated by the present invention.

For the sake of clarity, like reference numerals have been applied tolike structural elements as previously described and for the purposes ofexplanation it will be assumed that two fiber feeder units 10 are to beelectrically connected for selective individual or battery operation.The respective fiber feeder units will be hereinafter identified by thereference characters A and B.

As will be noted upon Figure 7, each fiber feeder unit A, B is providedwith dumping door solenoids 16a, 16b,

valve solenoids 5711; 511;; an awa ting-meter 67a, 67b, and a singlemercury switch 61a, 61b.

Current from a source S may be introduced into the circuit by closing apair of two-pole power switches 68a; 68b. Further control of theelectric circuit will then reside in a pair of selector switches 69a,69b. The selector switches 69a, 69b are of the conventional two-positiontype and may be selectively actuated to an on or ofif position.

Suitable relay means may be provided including coils 70a, 70bcooperabl'e with linkages 71a, 71b to control actuation of a plurality'of contacts associated therewith. A normally closed ccntact 72a, 72bisprovided for each respective operating motor 67a, 67b; a normally opencontact 73a, 73b is provided for each respective valve solenoid 57a,57b; a normally open contact 7421, 74b is provided for each respectivepair of dumping door 's'ol'e l noids 16a, 16b; and a normally openmaster solenoid contact 76a, 76b is also provided, the utility of whichwill become evident presently.

Assuming for the moment that the two-pole powe'r' switches 68a, 68b areclosed and the selector switches 69a, 69b are both actuated to the onposition, it will be evident that a normal operating condition has beenprovided. In this condition; the respective operating motors 67a, 67bwill be energized and the valve in the discharge openings of the fiberfeeder hoppers will be open.

As soon as the weigh box or hopper is filled with a sufiicient quantityof fiber to tilt the preset weighba'r or scale arm downwardly, a mercuryswitch 61a or 61b will make contact. It will be apparent that variousweight settings may be made according to the i'equir'enre'nts of theproportional mix to be turned out by each respective fiber feeder.Therefore, as contemplated by this invention the respective mercuryswitches in a battery of fiber feeder machines will be actuated atdifferent times during an operational time sequence.

As soon as contact is made by a mercoid switch 61a or 61b, the coils70a, 70b associated therewith will become energized and will actuate theassociated linkages 71a, 71b to move all of the contacts connectedthereto to a second position. Thus, conatcts 72a, 72b will be opened andthe operating motors 67a, 67b will be deenergized. Contacts 73a, 73bwill be closed and the valve solenoids 57a, 57b will be energized so asto actuate the respective valve plates associated therewith to a closedposition.

Assuming that only the single mercoid switch 61a of the fiber feeder Ahas operated in a normal time sequence, it will be noted that thedumping door solenoids 16a will not be energized upon closing of thecontacts 74a because a master contact 77, normally open, is connected inseries therewith. The master contact 77 is controlled by a coil 78 of asuitable relay including a linkage 79 and the coil 78 is placed inseries with the master contacts 76a, 76b.

In this manner, even though the contacts 74a and 76a have been closed,the dumping doors associated with the dumping door solenoids 16a willremain closed until such time as the fiber feeder machine B hascompleted its operative cycle.

When the coil 70b actuates the linkage 71b and closes the contacts 74band 76b, the coil 78 will be energized thereby actuating the linkage 79and closing the master contact 77. When this occurs, the dumping doorsolenoids 16a and 16b will both be energized simultaneously andtherefore the dumping doors will open at the same time to permit thedischarge of the fibers in the respective weigh boxes onto a commonconveyor.

If it is desired to operate a machine individually or if it is necessaryto pull one or more machines out of battery, a respective selectorswitch such as 69a or 69b may be actuated to an off position. It will benoted that the arrangement indicated on Figure 7 permits the selectorswitches 69a, 69b to accomplish a selective by-passing of an associatedmaster contact 76a or 76b.

Being in series with one another, the master contacts, if by-passed,will permit immediate energization of the master relay and actuation ofthe dumping doors will occur without requiring the additional completionof a weighing cycle on the feeder or feeders taken out of the battery.

It will be apparent to those versed in the art that the circuitarrangement described permits the operation of a plurality of fiberfeeder machines in battery simultaneously, individually or in'anyconceivable combination desired. Furthermore, the employment of a singlemercury switch to control an entire operational sequence of a fiberfeeder machine eliminates the necessity for fine adjustment of multipleswitches as has been previously required in obtaining simultaneousoperation of fiber feeder apparatus.

It is contemplated that many minor modifications may be suggested tothose versed in the art upon analysis of the aforegoing disclosure whichwill not mark a substantial departure from the true spirit of ourinvention. It is to be understood, therefore, that we do not propose tobe limited to the specific details which we have set forth for the sakeof clarity and by way of illustrative example only.

We claim as our invention:

1. In a weigh bar mechanism of the kind described, a clip connected tothe weigh bar for pivotal movement relative thereto and parallel withthe pivot of said bar, a bracket fixedly carried by said bar and havingan elongated arcuate portion extending lengthwise of the bar, and inspaced overlying relation to the clip, said arcuate portion of thebracket being provided with a slot running lengthwise the bar, screwmeans extending through said slot and threaded into said clip at a pointoffset from the clip pivot, a biasing coil spring surrounding said screwbetween said bracket and said clip, and a mercury switch in said clip,whereby the angle of said mercury switch relative to said weigh bar maybe adjustably varied within the limits prescribed by said bracket.

2. In a weigh bar mechanism as defined in claim 1, said bracket beingcurved and having a radius of curvature extending generally towards thepivot center of said clip, said screw means comprising a screw having ahead overlying the edges of said slot on one side of said bracket, andsaid coil spring around said screw bottomed at one end against said clipand bottomed at the other end against the other side of said bracket,thereby to resiliently lock said clip at selective positions ofadjustment.

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